How Many Women Have Housecleaning Help?

[SeekerJen]

momof3boys:

Oh, I am so glad you started this thread, Sparkle. It is so hard for me to keep a clean, spotless house. Don’t get me wrong, we are not slobs or anything, but I just feel like I never get “caught up”. I’m either doing laundry, dishes, straightening up the living room, cleaning the cat box, etc, etc. And it always seems like the kitchen is full of dirty dishes! Or the floors need mopped…
I am not even going to get into what our computer room looks like. It is my goal to “organize” everything in here eventually. This room is mostly my husband’s, though, and he’s not exactly tidy.
I don’t think if I had the extra money I would hire someone else to do it for me. I think that would be a waste of money. I’d rather do like someone else mentioned above & go blow the money at Barnes & Noble.

Your house sounds just like mine. I just finished mopping all my floors, scrubbing out the bathroom and laundry room, and washing today’s first sinkful of dishes (by hand). This is what I did with my afternoon off of work. And now I’m in the computer room surrounded by piles of books and papers. Sigh.

I know I’m never going to achieve spotlessness. I’d be happy with “less chaotic”. At least it’s not dirty, just cluttered.

 

[dizzy_girl]

I do!

I have the dishwasher, the washing machine, the dryer, cleaning products, a mop, a broom, a vaccum and my own two hands. For cooking, I have a sink and stove and microwave and again, my own two hands.

 

[LSK]

dizzy girl:

I do!

I have the dishwasher, the washing machine, the dryer, cleaning products, a mop, a broom, a vaccum and my own two hands. For cooking, I have a sink and stove and microwave and again, my own two hands.

And I bet it costs you an arm and a leg (oh heavens, I am so darn funny sometimes…)

 

[maryceleste]

How about this for a category: “I keep meaning to get help, but I don’t have the time to hire someone, because I’m too busy trying to keep up with the chores!”

 

[mschoir01]

I say if you can afford it, it is one of the best ways to keep the family happy. I have been able to afford it in the past and as soon as I can afford it, I will hire someone to help again!

Children (and spouse) should also contribute. Everyone contributes to the mess, and each child should definitely have responsibility for their own room.

 

[mellysue]

Don’t have any kids yet, but I do have help with the cleaning.

About 2.5 years ago I was in the middle of planning a wedding, and all that intails, moving my groom into our apartment (and ridding him of lots of useless junk that had accumulated over time)
and I worked a full time 40hr+ week job.
My cousin needed some seed money so I hired her to do a big once over on the apartment. Just so I could actually spend the time that I wasn’t picking out flowers, working or moving furniture enjoying my engagement and not have to worry about the house.

She cleaned it about once a month during the wedding nutiness and I got used to it very quickly. She could use the money and I would rather come home to a clean house after work than to come home and still have a load of things to do.
Sometimes she even does my laundry (God bless her).

This month we’re a little strapped for cash so I thought I’d saved some dough and clean the place myself. I realized that I don’t even own a mop!! She always brought her own supplies. I know that I’ll have to have some help once we have kids!!!

 

[legeorge]

When I had my third baby, the best present I got was that my MIL and GMIL hired a woman to clean for me for 1 day. It was absolute heaven!! I am going to remember this for the day when my kids start having kids of their own. It was just great!

I wish I could afford to have someone come in periodically to clean. I hate cleaning!! I can keep up on the laundry, ironing, meals, and dishes. I try to keep a schedule up. Mondays- laundry. Tuesdays- finish up laundry and ironing. Wednesdays- garbage day, change all garbage and kitty litter, clean out fridge. Thursdays- floors, sweep, mop, vacuum. Fridays- bathrooms. That’s in addition to all the other stuff I pile on, like putting in a huge garden and canning/freezing the harvest, home improvements, sewing, doing crafts for presents and an occasional craft show to earn extra money, baking from scratch, teaching CCD, taking kids to doctors, dentists, sports, etc., all the household shopping, paying the bills, and of course keeping up on my prayer group, and CA posts . I undoubtedly fall behind, but the kids do help out a little. My oldest is 11 and she has become a huge help lately. It’s so nice that she is growing up and helping out without me having to nag. She and my 7 year old do dinner once a week. They love it! Dusting, picking up, feeding the animals, and keeping their rooms clean are the kid’s chores. They help out on other stuff when I ask them to, though. If I could afford to hire some help, I definately would! One thing I am good about is making my bed every day and keeping the insides of the cabinets/closets organized. Those small pockets of organization are like a refuge when the clutter of the kids and hubby get overwhelming.

 

[leaner]

We have someone come in once every 2 wks. When my DH got his promotion raise last winter, we agreed that the sanity offered was well worth the expense (it’s $55 for 3-4hrs). I happily forgo other “luxuries” b/c to me, this is 3more hours I have to play and teach my babies all the wonderful things I have to teach them; it also allows us to go and do things for others. We had our home infested with fleas this past week (so bad we had to move out) and since we’ve been back, I feel like my whole day is spent cleaning and doing laundry and vaccuuming again and again trying to stay ahead of the little buggers…it just reminded me how glad I am to have that help; I figured with school starting for my 4yo, we cut out the activities that had cost us money during the summer (ice skating, swim lessons, and gymnastics – no, not all at once!) so I can squeeze it in there when I do the budget. My priorities led me to this decision, and DH is fully on board with it, even tho I don’t work outside the home – as he says “if momma aint happy, aint nobody happy” – LOL!

 

[kaymart]

maryceleste:

How about this for a category: “I keep meaning to get help, but I don’t have the time to hire someone, because I’m too busy trying to keep up with the chores!”

Good one

 

[sparkle]

Hey! Seems unanimously, that more women than not, do feel they just need some “housecleaning help”, me for one. OK, I don’t feel so bad now, like I’m such a horrible mom and/or housekeeper. I see by the poll results that most women DO have/need help. OK. Thanks. Appreciate all the replies. Has anyone noticed that if you look in the book of Genesis, ALL the women had maidservants? Hey–what happened to this concept? Let’s bring it back. Who wants to vote for it? I DO.!!!